Dr. Ali Abu Senna, CEO of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA), led the Egyptian delegation at the meeting of the Executive Council of the United Nations Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Environment (Barcelona Convention) in Slovenia. Slovenia currently chairs the 23rd session of the convention, focusing on the protection of the Mediterranean Sea’s marine environment and coastal areas.
Dr. Abu Senna emphasized that Egypt’s participation in the meeting is part of a series of preparatory meetings in anticipation of Egypt hosting the 24th Conference of the Parties to the Barcelona Convention in 2025. Additionally, Egypt is currently a member and vice-president of the Executive Office of the Convention, where Slovenia will hand over the presidency to Egypt during the next session.
During the meeting, the convention’s secretariat presented a detailed report on activities from October of the previous year to February, updating the progress on implementing decisions made during COP 23, held last year in Port Roche, Slovenia. The report also included the work plan for the current year, the financial report, and an overview of the Secretary of the Convention’s participation in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) meetings in Nairobi, Kenya.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Dr. Abu Senna held discussions with the General Coordinator of the Convention and the National Contact Point for Slovenia. They agreed to intensify coordination through regular meetings until Egypt assumes the presidency and hosts COP 24. The proposed date for the COP 24 Conference of the Parties is the first week of December 2025, ensuring a non-overlapping schedule with other international meetings and maximizing participation.
Furthermore, it was agreed that the next meeting of the Executive Council will be held in Egypt in November, as part of ongoing preparations for COP 24. The Executive Office of the Barcelona Convention includes seven member states from Mediterranean countries, alongside the secretariat.
The Barcelona Convention, one of Egypt’s key environmental agreements, entered into force in 1978. It is a vital international framework for the protection of the Mediterranean environment, aiming to combat marine pollution, ensure sustainable management of marine and coastal resources, and promote the integration of environmental considerations into social and economic development. The agreement also focuses on protecting natural and cultural heritage while fostering solidarity among Mediterranean coastal countries.
As Egypt prepares to host COP 24, the event represents an important step forward in advancing regional cooperation for environmental protection and ensuring the continued health and sustainability of the Mediterranean Sea and its ecosystems.
